NEWT Radio to showcase theatre performances and feature beloved deejays

By Laurie Gordon
NEWTON — The Newton Theatre is about to launch an exciting new radio station that will highlight performances at the theatre and showcase some beloved deejays.
October 12, 2015 was a sad day for faithful listeners of WNTI, a radio station operated out of Centenary University and listened to by people all over the area. Their beloved radio station went off the air, having been sold to Philadelphia public radio station WXPN, 88.5, owned by the University of Pennsylvania. The ownership for the broadcasting license of WNTI 99.1 FM was turned over to WXPN.
WNTI remained as an Internet station at Centenary with the same station manager, Melanie Thiel, who'd been in charge of WNTI at the helm. In September, Thiel left Centenary University. With her went all of the WNTI deejays who'd stayed with her through the transition to an Internet station. For the faithful listeners, it was now truly over.
Or was it?
One of the owners of the Newton Theatre, Jonathan Peirce, called her as soon as he found out she was available. The two met to discuss the possibility of a new Internet station from the theatre and NEWT Radio was born and will be up and running very soon.
“We are across the street and down one block at 135 Spring Street,” Thiel said. “It’s a cool little store front and we broadcast in the front window just like the old TV Show Northern Exposure.” Thiel said music has been "part of me my entire life. I come from a long line of musicians on both sides of my family tree. The Newton Theatre always had an Internet station in their master plan so when I became available, they decided to move forward with the idea.”
Remember all of those WNTI fans? Thiel said their response to the new station has been “overwhelming.” She said, “Everyone is ready to start listening to NEWT Radio. Hundreds of fans of all ages want to hear their favorite DJ’s again and the unique mix of music we bring, especially the local and regional artists and now all the acts that will be performing at the Newton Theatre. Live in studio performances also.”
The format is AAA (Adult Album Alternative) for the most part. The station will be heavily based on the Newton Theatre's upcoming shows and so far will have 22 deejays on air. Fourteen of these, including Thiel, are former WNTI people.
Listeners are excited and so is former WNTI disc jockey Greg Lewis. Lewis got his start at WNTI playing records with DJ Tom Haynes, then spawned his own show called “Rock-It Science,” in 2001. He went on to deejay for Fairleigh Dickinson University's radio station --WFDU--and is now heard in northern New Jersey out to Port Jefferson, Connecticut and up to the Tappen Zee Bridge. “ I am very grateful to Mel for offering me a spot on WNTI back in 2001 and I wish good luck to the new Internet station WNWT and all my former WNTI friends,” Lewis said. “This is going to be great.”
Thiel said that the new station will feature different types of music and is looking forward to getting it going. “There’s a Blues/Jazz show, a Jam Band show, classical on Sunday mornings, Americana, soul/R&B, oldies, classic country, an antiques call-in show and on my show lots of new up and coming artists mixed in with the classic rock stars. Of course, you’ll hear the Spotlight Dance of the Day in the morning also.”
Inquiring minds are eager to know when the station will go live. Thiel said, “We are learning the new Internet system now. Give us a few more days to get it all set. NEWT Radio will be available only on the Internet... for now.”
Thiel said, “I’m jumping out of my skin with excitement! I belong here. Northwest New Jersey is the place I have all my contacts socially and business and everyone at the Newton Theatre has welcomed me with open arms.”
GIVE A WAVE, MAKE A REQUEST
NEWT Radio is located at 135 Spring Street in Newton. Passers by will have the chance to wave a greeting to the deejays through the window. A NEWT Radio Facebook page is available at https://www.facebook.com/NEWTRadio, and requests can be called in to (973) 940-NEWT.
Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available on NEWT Radio. For information contact Melanie Thiel at 973-383-3700, extension 107.
The historic Newton Theatre, located at 234 Spring Street, was founded in 1924. It was fully renovated and reopened in 2011 to grow into Sussex County’s premier entertainment venue
HOW TO TUNE IN
If you don’t already have Tune In Radio App on your smart phone, download it. It’s free and the best way to listen to NEWT Radio in the car, especially if you have Bluetooth capability. Also, the The LISTEN NOW button will be on the Newton Theatre website www.thenewtontheatre.comn which is another way to access the station and if you like their Facebook page, listeners can keep up with the latest info on NEWT Radio.